As I am writing this blog entry from my office this afternoon I see a hot air balloon working its way across the horizon. Few yellow and orange leaves remain on the trees after this week’s wind, and as the sun begins its descent I have a sense of comfort and peace living in Franklin Township. Do you feel that way too?
November 2: Election Day
Congratulations to Committeewomen-Elect Vigdis Austad and Sue Campbell. Here is a link to their website which describes who they are, their background and experiences, and what motivated them to run for elected office:
http://www.ftvote.com/Site/Meet_the_Township_Committee_Candidates.html
I look forward to working with Ms. Austad, Ms. Campbell in 2011.
November 10: Land Use Board
A good portion of the meeting was spent discussing the draft Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan (CFPP). The CFPP was prepared through a cooperative effort between the Township Committee, Land Use Board, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Open Space Advisory Committee, the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance, and Franklin resident volunteers. Adoption of the CFPP into our master plan would allow us to apply for and receive funding from the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) through state-sponsored Municipal Planning Incentive Grants. It is my understanding from the SADC that we are eligible for $1.25 million in state funding to purchase development easements from qualified farms with no local match required. Adoption of this plan is important if we wish for Franklin to continue to protect its farmland and agriculture. Anyone who wishes to see a copy of the draft can do so in the municipal building, Board Secretary’s office, or email me and I will provide you a PDF copy. The Board discussed the plan and chose to carry the vote to their December 8 meeting.
The Board also reviewed a revised draft of solar / wind power ordinance. At this point I do not anticipate the Committee receiving a finished ordinance in 2010. My message to the Land Use Board and Environmental Commission on this matter is to do your due diligence and prepare the best ordinance possible- it is your job to use your expertise and forward the best ordinance to the Committee. In turn, it is our job to determine how the policy is suitable for the township. Keep us informed of your progress and we will keep communication lines open with you and the public.
November 11: Township Committee
Committeemen McGeary and Tarshis were absent so between Mayor Jacukowicz, Committeeman Tarshis, and myself, we managed to conduct the town’s business in short time. We adjourned from our regular meeting at 8:21- by far the shortest meeting I’ve participated in since I have been on Committee. Kudos for Committeewoman-Elect Austad for being in attendance. Highlights from the meeting included:
1. Adopting the October 28, 2010 work session and executive session meeting minutes.
2. We authorized the payment of bills through November 11, 2010. Big ticket items included: 11/5 municipal payroll ($37,271), and municipal attorney fees ($6,199)
3. Police / Public Safety Director Ken Mandoli gave his October report; highlights included 4 adult arrests, 100 motor vehicle summonses, and 140 motor vehicle warnings. Mr. Mandoli reported 186 cars at the Trunk or Treat event, and he informed us that Class II Special Officers volunteered 43 hours of their time to the township, reducing the need for overtime costs. Mr. Mandoli also provided us with a copy of his 2010 year end report (10/1/09 – 9/30/10) for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The report stated that our Emergency Operations Plan is current through 2014. His report included a summary of events, programs and training that the OEM and our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were involved with during the year. Mr. Mandoli informed us that with the submission of his OEM report to the State Police, the township qualified for a $5,000 grant from the State.
4. We adopted Resolution 2010-70 re-appointing Ken Mandoli to serve as Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management for a 3 year term, effective October 1, 2010 at an annual salary at $1,266.00.
5. We adopted Resolution 2010-71 to authorize ADR Towing, Ralph Anthony Automotive, Ray Fisher Auto Body, and Superior Towing and Transport to provide towing and storage of motor vehicles for 2011 and 2012.
6. We finally authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement for deer carcass removal services for 2010. Re-authorizing should be much simpler in 2011 now that the legal framework has already been laid out and has passed the smell test… so you don’t have to!
7. We received the Public Works October monthly report. Highlights included budget preparations for 2011, police vehicle service and repair, mounting snow equipment on vehicles, snow fence installation, maintaining the recycling center, and ditch/shoulder/drain/basin work on Baker Road, Old Franklin School Road, and Oak Grove Road. A pre-construction meeting took place on November 19 for phase 1 of West Sidney Road improvements.
8. At 8:00 PM the Committee switched hats and became the Board of Health where we adopted our October 14 meeting minutes then heard a septic system waiver request for Block 135, Lot 23; 207 Cherryville Road. The property owner was requesting a design waiver to allow the septic disposal bed to be located within 12 inches of the regional water table when 24 inches is required. Soil logs demonstrated that the water table is 18 inches below grade. The owner proposes to mound the system so that the disposal bed will still be 24 inches above the water table. Our township engineer reviewed the plans and cited no objection to the design waiver and we subsequently granted the request.
November 17 & 18: League of Municipalities Conference
I attended the 95th Annual League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. I attended 5 sessions and managed to cover the convention floor twice. The sessions I attended were:
“A Review and Discussion of Governor Christie’s Property Tax Relief Toolkit”;
“Pension Reforms- What do They Mean?”;
“Elected Officials Refresher on Budget, Procurement, and Finance Purchasing Issues”;
“Elected Officials Refresher on Ethics, Public Meetings, Open Public Records, and Civility in Public Discourse”; and
“Capital Spending in an Uncertain Economy”
I have attended the Conference since the mid 1990s in different capacities- as a vendor, as a municipal planning board member, as a county planner, as a municipal planner, and now as an elected official. The Conference provides attendees the opportunity to network, learn from their peers, and take back ideas to our communities. From the exhibitors on the convention floor I picked up information on website providers, green products and sustainable energy companies, insurance providers, affordable housing consultants, and public works equipment companies.
Overall the League Conference is a good experience for those involved in government; I recommend that elected officials go at least once while they are in office and that you make the most of your stay. When I was not in workshop sessions I was visiting exhibitors; I would be more than happy to share my notes and brochures with anyone who expresses an interest in getting an up close and detailed report on each of the sessions and exhibitor material.
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